EGYPT's 18th

DYNASTY
Rise & Fall
The History of Hanukkah:
A Reading Guide
Description of the different sections of the story

01 A Time of Peace

02 Antiochus III's Reign

03 The Bravery of the Maccabees

04 The Miracle of the Oil

05 Continuing Traditions
TIMELINE
18th Dynasty of Egypt ruled from c.a 1550-1295B.C.
Egypt saw the rule of many rulers like
Ahmose( ca. 1550-1525 B.C)
Amenhotep (ca. 1525-1504 B.C.)
Thutmose I
Thutmose II

Thutmose III

Antiochus III's Reign

The story of Hanukkah begins a long,
long time ago. In 200 B.C., there lived
a Syrian king named Antiochus III.
 Antiochus III's Reign
He fought King Ptolemy of Egypt and won.
As part of his victory, he added Israel
into his kingdom.

King Antiochus III was good to the Jews.

Under his rule, Jews enjoyed certain privileges.
 Antiochus III's Reign
Antiochus III allowed the Jews to remain in
Israel and practice their religion. He also
collected lower taxes from them and let them
borrow money for the upkeep of their temples.
 Antiochus III's Reign
When Antiochus III died, his son Seleucus IV
became king. From then on, things changed
for the Jews and even worsened when
Antiochus IV reigned over Syria.
The Bravery of
the Maccabees
Antiochus III wanted the Jews
to worship Roman gods.
 The Bravery of
the Maccabees
And so, he banned the Jews from practicing
their faith. Altars were built for Greek gods
while Jewish temples were torn down.
The Bravery of
the Maccabees

Antiochus was cruel to the Jews who did not The Maccabees led the Jews in fighting
embrace the new religion. Wanting to defend against the Syrian army. Even though they
their faith, a family of priests known as the were fewer in number, they triumphed over
Maccabees opposed Antiochus's rule. the Syrian army against all odds.
 The Miracle of the Oil
Once they reclaimed the Jewish temple, the Maccabees
lit the light hanging above the ark. But the jar of olive oil
in the temple was only enough to light it for one day.
 The Miracle of the Oil
The Maccabees sent a servant to get more oil.
But the journey was so long that it took him
eight days to come back.
The Miracle of the Oil
But miraculously, the lights in the temple
continued burning until the servant returned.
 Continuing Traditions
And this is why today, Jews light eight candles on a menorah during Hanukkah.
It symbolizes how God calls people to bring light to the world.